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Summary The upcoming migration of satellite services to higher bands, namely, the Ka‐ and Q/V‐bands, offers many advantages in terms of bandwidth and system capacity. However, it poses challenges as propagation effects introduced by the various atmospheric phenomena are particularly pronounced in these bands and can become a serious constraint in terms of system reliability and performance. This paper presents the goals, organisation, and preliminary results of an ongoing large‐scale European coordinated propagation campaign using the Alphasat Aldo Paraboni Ka/Q band signal payload on satellite, performed by a wide scientific consortium in the framework of a European Space Agency (ESA) project. The main objective of this activity is the experimental characterisation of the spatial and temporal correlation over Europe of the radio channel at Ka and Q band for future modelling activities and to collect data for development and testing of fading mitigation techniques.

Ventouras, S. ; Reeves, R. ; Rumi, E. ; Perez-Fontan, F. ; Machado, F. ; Pastoriza, V. ; Rocha, A. ; Mota, S. ; Jorge, F. ; Panagopoulos, A.D. ; Papafragkakis, A.Z. ; Kourogiorgas, C.I. ; Fiser, O. ; Pek, V. ; Pesice, P. ; Grabner, B. ; Vilhar, A. ; Kelmendi, A. ; Hrovat, A. ; VanhoenackerJanvier, Danielle ; Graziani, Alberto ; Quibus, Laurent ; Goussetis, G. ; Martellucci, A. AbstractThe upcoming migration of satellite services to higher bands, namely the Kaand Q-bands offers many advantages in terms of bandwidth, data rates and system capacity. However, it poses challenges as propagation effects introduced by the various atmospheric phenomena are particularly pronounced in these bands and can become a serious constraint in terms of system reliability and performance. This paper outlines the goals, organization and some first results of an ongoing large propagation campaign consortium formed across Europe under the supervision of the European Space Agency; the campaign, shall ultimately assist in the validation and development of channel models targeting thesebands. Finally, the consideration of diverse climatic conditions and elevation angles along with the evaluation of the frequency and spatio-temporal effects, shall support the development of Fading and Mitigation Techniques and their assessment using real data. Abstract-The upcoming migration of satellite services to higher bands, namely the Ka-and Q-bands offers many advantages in terms of bandwidth, data rates and system capacity. However, it poses challenges as propagation effects introduced by the various atmospheric phenomena are particularly pronounced in these bands and can become a serious constraint in terms of system reliability and performance. This paper outlines the goals, organization and some first results of an ongoing large propagation campaign consortium formed across Europe under the supervision of the European Space Agency; the campaign, shall ultimately assist in the validation and development of channel models targeting these-bands. Finally, the consideration of diverse climatic conditions and elevation angles along with the evaluation of the frequency and spatio-temporal effects, shall support the development of Fading and Mitigation Techniques and their assessment using real data.

Automated classification of cloud types using a ground-based infrared (IR) imager can provide invaluable high-resolution and localized information for air traffic controllers. Observations can be made consistently, continuously in real time and accurately during both day and night operation. Details of a field trial of an automated, ground-based IR cloud classification system are presented. The system was designed at Campbell Scientific Ltd. in collaboration with Loughborough University, UK. The main objective of the trial was to assess the performance of an automated IR camera system with a lightning detector in classifying several types of clouds, specifically cumulonimbus and towering cumulus, during continuous day and night operation. Results from the classification system were compared with those obtained from Meteorological Aerodrome Reports (METAR) and with data generated by the UK Meteorological Office from their radarand sferics-automated cloud reports system. In comparisons with METAR data, a probability of detection of up to 82% was achieved, together with a minimum probability of false detection of 18%.

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